R&D Spray Dryer | Lab-Scale Powder Drying – GMP Standard | T&T MACHINERY

Video: T&T MACHINERY R&D Spray Dryer TPS-1 installed at Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy

🌟 Introduction to R&D Spray Dryer

A R&D spray dryer is a device used to quickly convert a liquid solution or suspension into dry powder form by spraying fine droplets into a stream of hot air in R&D scale.

🔧 Main Components

🔧 1. Feeding System (Liquid Pump)

• Function: Delivers the liquid or suspension into the spraying chamber.

• Components: Dosing pump, feed pipe, and liquid storage tank.

🌫️ 2. Spraying Nozzle (Nozzle or Atomizer)

• Function: Atomizes the feed material into ultra-fine mist droplets.

• Two common types:

  • Pressure nozzle: Uses high pressure to create mist.

  • Centrifugal atomizer: Uses a high-speed rotating disc to disperse liquid.

🔥 3. Drying Chamber

• Function: Where the evaporation of moisture takes place.

• Features:

  • Large volume chamber.

  • Constructed from heat-resistant, non-corrosive materials (usually SUS 304 or 316L).

  • Equipped with observation windows and interior lighting.

🌬️ 4. Hot Air Supply System

• Function: Provides a flow of hot air to rapidly evaporate moisture from the mist droplets.

• Includes:

  • Heating unit (electric, gas, or oil-based).

  • Air blower and inlet air filter system.

🌀 5. Powder Collection System (Cyclone Separator or Settling Chamber)

• Function: Collects dry powder after moisture is evaporated.

• May also include:

  • Dust cyclone separator: Separates powder from exhaust air.

  • Bag filters or HEPA filters: Prevents fine powder loss.

🖥️ 6. Control Panel

• Function: Controls temperature, airflow rate, atomizer speed, drying time, etc.

• Typically integrated with PLC or HMI touchscreen for smart control.

🔧 Working Principle

The liquid material (e.g. plant extract, milk, or active pharmaceutical formulation) is sprayed into ultra-fine droplets using the nozzle or atomizer.

These droplets fall into the drying chamber where they immediately encounter hot air, causing the water to evaporate almost instantly.

The resulting dry powder settles at the bottom and is collected, while the hot air carrying moisture is exhausted through the filtration system.

✅ Applications of Spray Dryer

• Food industry: Milk powder, instant coffee, fruit juice powder...

• Pharmaceuticals: Fine powder APIs, antibiotics, herbal extracts...

• Cosmetics: Natural plant extracts (e.g. aloe vera, licorice) into powder form for skincare products.

• Chemicals: Production of fine powder materials...